The pair ran together until halfway when Mr Spearing suffered with leg cramps causing him to ease back. However, Mr Newman who was running for Alzheimer’s Support due to his father suffering with the condition pushed on to finish in 2 hours and 12 minutes with Mr Spearing coming in 2 hours and 24 minutes. The former footballers ran in temperatures that soared above 21C in the Portuguese capital.

Coach Neil Featherby, who set them a target time of beating his full marathon best time of 2 hours 17 minutes, said: “I am really pleased with both of them and when you consider they started from scratch just eleven weeks ago, I think they can both be proud of their achievements.”

Mr Newman now scouts for Manchester City in Spain and Portugal and Mr Spearing works as a European scout for West Bromwich Albion, and so the pair decided the Lisbon Half Marathon, would tie in well with their overseas duties.

Anyone interested in making a donation towards Mr Newman’s charity, can visit www.justgiving.com/robnewman50